System with a gantry and a radiation protection booth and method for operating a medical imaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

A system includes a gantry of a medical imaging apparatus. In an embodiment, the gantry includes an X-ray source, and a radiation protection booth, which can be installed or suspended relative to the gantry.

PRIORITY STATEMENT

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority under35 U.S.C. §§ 120/121 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/805,266,filed on Nov. 7, 2017, which hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to German patent application number DE 102016223490.0 filed Nov. 25,2016, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

At least one embodiment of the invention generally relates to a systemwith a gantry and a radiation protection booth; a method for operating amedical imaging apparatus; a method for outputting a movement drivesignal to a movement drive unit of a movable radiation protection boothand/or a method for moving a movable gantry and a movable radiationprotection booth.

BACKGROUND

For reasons of patient proximity and patient safety, during anexamination or image-guided therapy, it can be advantageous for a user,in particular medical staff, to be able to remain close to the medicalimaging apparatus. However, it is also important to minimize risks tothe health of the user, in particular due to X-rays. Patient proximitycan have a direct effect on the comfort of conscious, cooperativepatients making them more cooperative and hence achieving betterexamination results and patient satisfaction. This also increasespatient compliance, for example in the case of breathing commands,restrictions of movement, calming agitating patients or the like. Inaddition, patient proximity can result in better control of patients whoare sedated, anesthetized or uncooperative or patients in a potentiallyfatal condition.

Not only radiologists, but also physicians in other specializeddisciplines can benefit from patient proximity, for example ananesthetist in the case of intensive-care patients or patients withmultiple injuries or an internal specialist or surgeon in emergencies.One possibility for a user to establish patient proximity is based onthe use of a radiation protection vest, but this can only partiallyprotect the user. As a rule, due to the exposure to radiation, suchprotection is only used if there are special reasons, for example in thecase of children and/or high-risk interventions. Otherwise, in manycases the user is required to leave the examination chamber in which themedical imaging apparatus is located before the initiation of theradiation for the acquisition of imaging data and remain, for example,in a control room protected against ionizing radiation from which themedical imaging apparatus can be operated.

SUMMARY

At least one embodiment of the invention provides an alternativepossibility for operating a medical imaging apparatus.

The claims consider further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a system comprising

a gantry of a medical imaging apparatus, the gantry including an X-raysource; and

a radiation protection booth, wherein the radiation protection booth canbe installed, in particular is installed in at least one operatingcondition of the system, or suspended, in particular is suspended in atleast one operating condition of the system, relative to the gantry.

At least one embodiment of the invention further relates to a method foroperating a medical imaging apparatus, the method comprising:

execution of a first action of a user for operating the medical imagingapparatus, wherein the user is located inside an examination chamber andoutside a radiation protection booth, wherein the radiation protectionbooth and a gantry of the medical imaging apparatus are located insidethe examination chamber,

entry of the user into the radiation protection booth, and

execution of a second action of the user for operating the medicalimaging apparatus, wherein the user is located inside the radiationprotection booth.

At least one embodiment of the invention further relates to a method foroutputting a movement drive signal to a movement drive unit of a movableradiation protection booth, the method comprising:

provision of position information relating to a gantry of a medicalimaging apparatus, and

outputting the movement drive signal to the movement drive unit of themovable radiation protection booth based on the position information.

At least one embodiment of the invention further relates to a method formoving a movable gantry and a movable radiation protection booth, themethod comprising:

moving a movable gantry,

provision of position information relating to the movable gantry of amedical imaging apparatus,

outputting the movement drive signal to the movement drive unit of themovable radiation protection booth based on the position information,and

moving the movable radiation protection booth via the movement driveunit based on the movement drive signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Selected embodiments are explained below with reference to the attachedfigures. The representation in the figures is schematic, greatlysimplified and not necessarily true-to-scale.

The figures show:

FIG. 1 a system according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 a system according to a further embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 a system according to a further embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4 a system according to a further embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 5 a system according to a further embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 6 a system according to a further embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 7 a system according to a further embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 8 a method according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 9 a flowchart for a method according to one embodiment of theinvention, and

FIG. 10 a flowchart for a method according to one embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The drawings are to be regarded as being schematic representations andelements illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale.Rather, the various elements are represented such that their functionand general purpose become apparent to a person skilled in the art. Anyconnection or coupling between functional blocks, devices, components,or other physical or functional units shown in the drawings or describedherein may also be implemented by an indirect connection or coupling. Acoupling between components may also be established over a wirelessconnection. Functional blocks may be implemented in hardware, firmware,software, or a combination thereof.

Various example embodiments will now be described more fully withreference to the accompanying drawings in which only some exampleembodiments are shown. Specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describingexample embodiments. Example embodiments, however, may be embodied invarious different forms, and should not be construed as being limited toonly the illustrated embodiments. Rather, the illustrated embodimentsare provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the concepts of this disclosure to thoseskilled in the art. Accordingly, known processes, elements, andtechniques, may not be described with respect to some exampleembodiments. Unless otherwise noted, like reference characters denotelike elements throughout the attached drawings and written description,and thus descriptions will not be repeated. The present invention,however, may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not beconstrued as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, components, regions,layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers,and/or sections, should not be limited by these terms. These terms areonly used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a firstelement could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a secondelement could be termed a first element, without departing from thescope of example embodiments of the present invention. As used herein,the term “and/or,” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items. The phrase “at least one of” has the samemeaning as “and/or”.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,”“above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or operation in addition tothe orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device inthe figures is turned over, elements described as “below,” “beneath,” or“under,” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” theother elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below” and “under”may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may beotherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and thespatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Inaddition, when an element is referred to as being “between” twoelements, the element may be the only element between the two elements,or one or more other intervening elements may be present.

Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for example,between modules) are described using various terms, including“connected,” “engaged,” “interfaced,” and “coupled.” Unless explicitlydescribed as being “direct,” when a relationship between first andsecond elements is described in the above disclosure, that relationshipencompasses a direct relationship where no other intervening elementsare present between the first and second elements, and also an indirectrelationship where one or more intervening elements are present (eitherspatially or functionally) between the first and second elements. Incontrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly” connected,engaged, interfaced, or coupled to another element, there are nointervening elements present. Other words used to describe therelationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion(e.g., “between,” versus “directly between,” “adjacent,” versus“directly adjacent,” etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the,” are intended to include the plural forms as well,unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, theterms “and/or” and “at least one of” include any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. It will be furtherunderstood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or“including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressionssuch as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify theentire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of thelist. Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to refer to an example orillustration.

When an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” “coupledto,” or “adjacent to,” another element, the element may be directly on,connected to, coupled to, or adjacent to, the other element, or one ormore other intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,”“directly coupled to,” or “immediately adjacent to,” another elementthere are no intervening elements present.

It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, thefunctions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures.For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executedsubstantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Itwill be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Before discussing example embodiments in more detail, it is noted thatsome example embodiments may be described with reference to acts andsymbolic representations of operations (e.g., in the form of flowcharts, flow diagrams, data flow diagrams, structure diagrams, blockdiagrams, etc.) that may be implemented in conjunction with units and/ordevices discussed in more detail below. Although discussed in aparticularly manner, a function or operation specified in a specificblock may be performed differently from the flow specified in aflowchart, flow diagram, etc. For example, functions or operationsillustrated as being performed serially in two consecutive blocks mayactually be performed simultaneously, or in some cases be performed inreverse order. Although the flowcharts describe the operations assequential processes, many of the operations may be performed inparallel, concurrently or simultaneously. In addition, the order ofoperations may be re-arranged. The processes may be terminated whentheir operations are completed, but may also have additional steps notincluded in the figure. The processes may correspond to methods,functions, procedures, subroutines, subprograms, etc.

Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merelyrepresentative for purposes of describing example embodiments of thepresent invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in manyalternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only theembodiments set forth herein.

Units and/or devices according to one or more example embodiments may beimplemented using hardware, software, and/or a combination thereof. Forexample, hardware devices may be implemented using processing circuitrysuch as, but not limited to, a processor, Central Processing Unit (CPU),a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signalprocessor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aSystem-on-Chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, orany other device capable of responding to and executing instructions ina defined manner. Portions of the example embodiments and correspondingdetailed description may be presented in terms of software, oralgorithms and symbolic representations of operation on data bits withina computer memory. These descriptions and representations are the onesby which those of ordinary skill in the art effectively convey thesubstance of their work to others of ordinary skill in the art. Analgorithm, as the term is used here, and as it is used generally, isconceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desiredresult. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physicalquantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take theform of optical, electrical, or magnetic signals capable of beingstored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. Ithas proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage,to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols,characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise, or as is apparent from the discussion,terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or“determining” of “displaying” or the like, refer to the action andprocesses of a computer system, or similar electronic computingdevice/hardware, that manipulates and transforms data represented asphysical, electronic quantities within the computer system's registersand memories into other data similarly represented as physicalquantities within the computer system memories or registers or othersuch information storage, transmission or display devices.

In this application, including the definitions below, the term ‘module’or the term ‘controller’ may be replaced with the term ‘circuit.’ Theterm ‘module’ may refer to, be part of, or include processor hardware(shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code and memory hardware(shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processorhardware.

The module may include one or more interface circuits. In some examples,the interface circuits may include wired or wireless interfaces that areconnected to a local area network (LAN), the Internet, a wide areanetwork (WAN), or combinations thereof. The functionality of any givenmodule of the present disclosure may be distributed among multiplemodules that are connected via interface circuits. For example, multiplemodules may allow load balancing. In a further example, a server (alsoknown as remote, or cloud) module may accomplish some functionality onbehalf of a client module.

Software may include a computer program, program code, instructions, orsome combination thereof, for independently or collectively instructingor configuring a hardware device to operate as desired. The computerprogram and/or program code may include program or computer-readableinstructions, software components, software modules, data files, datastructures, and/or the like, capable of being implemented by one or morehardware devices, such as one or more of the hardware devices mentionedabove. Examples of program code include both machine code produced by acompiler and higher level program code that is executed using aninterpreter.

For example, when a hardware device is a computer processing device(e.g., a processor, Central Processing Unit (CPU), a controller, anarithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, amicrocomputer, a microprocessor, etc.), the computer processing devicemay be configured to carry out program code by performing arithmetical,logical, and input/output operations, according to the program code.Once the program code is loaded into a computer processing device, thecomputer processing device may be programmed to perform the programcode, thereby transforming the computer processing device into a specialpurpose computer processing device. In a more specific example, when theprogram code is loaded into a processor, the processor becomesprogrammed to perform the program code and operations correspondingthereto, thereby transforming the processor into a special purposeprocessor.

Software and/or data may be embodied permanently or temporarily in anytype of machine, component, physical or virtual equipment, or computerstorage medium or device, capable of providing instructions or data to,or being interpreted by, a hardware device. The software also may bedistributed over network coupled computer systems so that the softwareis stored and executed in a distributed fashion. In particular, forexample, software and data may be stored by one or more computerreadable recording mediums, including the tangible or non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media discussed herein.

Even further, any of the disclosed methods may be embodied in the formof a program or software. The program or software may be stored on anon-transitory computer readable medium and is adapted to perform anyone of the aforementioned methods when run on a computer device (adevice including a processor). Thus, the non-transitory, tangiblecomputer readable medium, is adapted to store information and is adaptedto interact with a data processing facility or computer device toexecute the program of any of the above mentioned embodiments and/or toperform the method of any of the above mentioned embodiments.

Example embodiments may be described with reference to acts and symbolicrepresentations of operations (e.g., in the form of flow charts, flowdiagrams, data flow diagrams, structure diagrams, block diagrams, etc.)that may be implemented in conjunction with units and/or devicesdiscussed in more detail below. Although discussed in a particularlymanner, a function or operation specified in a specific block may beperformed differently from the flow specified in a flowchart, flowdiagram, etc. For example, functions or operations illustrated as beingperformed serially in two consecutive blocks may actually be performedsimultaneously, or in some cases be performed in reverse order.

According to one or more example embodiments, computer processingdevices may be described as including various functional units thatperform various operations and/or functions to increase the clarity ofthe description. However, computer processing devices are not intendedto be limited to these functional units. For example, in one or moreexample embodiments, the various operations and/or functions of thefunctional units may be performed by other ones of the functional units.Further, the computer processing devices may perform the operationsand/or functions of the various functional units without sub-dividingthe operations and/or functions of the computer processing units intothese various functional units.

Units and/or devices according to one or more example embodiments mayalso include one or more storage devices. The one or more storagedevices may be tangible or non-transitory computer-readable storagemedia, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), apermanent mass storage device (such as a disk drive), solid state (e.g.,NAND flash) device, and/or any other like data storage mechanism capableof storing and recording data. The one or more storage devices may beconfigured to store computer programs, program code, instructions, orsome combination thereof, for one or more operating systems and/or forimplementing the example embodiments described herein. The computerprograms, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, mayalso be loaded from a separate computer readable storage medium into theone or more storage devices and/or one or more computer processingdevices using a drive mechanism. Such separate computer readable storagemedium may include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive, a memorystick, a Blu-ray/DVD/CD-ROM drive, a memory card, and/or other likecomputer readable storage media. The computer programs, program code,instructions, or some combination thereof, may be loaded into the one ormore storage devices and/or the one or more computer processing devicesfrom a remote data storage device via a network interface, rather thanvia a local computer readable storage medium. Additionally, the computerprograms, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, maybe loaded into the one or more storage devices and/or the one or moreprocessors from a remote computing system that is configured to transferand/or distribute the computer programs, program code, instructions, orsome combination thereof, over a network. The remote computing systemmay transfer and/or distribute the computer programs, program code,instructions, or some combination thereof, via a wired interface, an airinterface, and/or any other like medium.

The one or more hardware devices, the one or more storage devices,and/or the computer programs, program code, instructions, or somecombination thereof, may be specially designed and constructed for thepurposes of the example embodiments, or they may be known devices thatare altered and/or modified for the purposes of example embodiments.

A hardware device, such as a computer processing device, may run anoperating system (OS) and one or more software applications that run onthe OS. The computer processing device also may access, store,manipulate, process, and create data in response to execution of thesoftware. For simplicity, one or more example embodiments may beexemplified as a computer processing device or processor; however, oneskilled in the art will appreciate that a hardware device may includemultiple processing elements or processors and multiple types ofprocessing elements or processors. For example, a hardware device mayinclude multiple processors or a processor and a controller. Inaddition, other processing configurations are possible, such as parallelprocessors.

The computer programs include processor-executable instructions that arestored on at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium (memory).The computer programs may also include or rely on stored data. Thecomputer programs may encompass a basic input/output system (BIOS) thatinteracts with hardware of the special purpose computer, device driversthat interact with particular devices of the special purpose computer,one or more operating systems, user applications, background services,background applications, etc. As such, the one or more processors may beconfigured to execute the processor executable instructions.

The computer programs may include: (i) descriptive text to be parsed,such as HTML (hypertext markup language) or XML (extensible markuplanguage), (ii) assembly code, (iii) object code generated from sourcecode by a compiler, (iv) source code for execution by an interpreter,(v) source code for compilation and execution by a just-in-timecompiler, etc. As examples only, source code may be written using syntaxfrom languages including C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Haskell, Go, SQL, R,Lisp, Java®, Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl, OCaml, Javascript®, HTML5,Ada, ASP (active server pages), PHP, Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang,Ruby, Flash®, Visual Basic®, Lua, and Python®.

Further, at least one embodiment of the invention relates to thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium including electronicallyreadable control information (processor executable instructions) storedthereon, configured in such that when the storage medium is used in acontroller of a device, at least one embodiment of the method may becarried out.

The computer readable medium or storage medium may be a built-in mediuminstalled inside a computer device main body or a removable mediumarranged so that it can be separated from the computer device main body.The term computer-readable medium, as used herein, does not encompasstransitory electrical or electromagnetic signals propagating through amedium (such as on a carrier wave); the term computer-readable medium istherefore considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examplesof the non-transitory computer-readable medium include, but are notlimited to, rewriteable non-volatile memory devices (including, forexample flash memory devices, erasable programmable read-only memorydevices, or a mask read-only memory devices); volatile memory devices(including, for example static random access memory devices or a dynamicrandom access memory devices); magnetic storage media (including, forexample an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard disk drive); andoptical storage media (including, for example a CD, a DVD, or a Blu-rayDisc). Examples of the media with a built-in rewriteable non-volatilememory, include but are not limited to memory cards; and media with abuilt-in ROM, including but not limited to ROM cassettes; etc.Furthermore, various information regarding stored images, for example,property information, may be stored in any other form, or it may beprovided in other ways.

The term code, as used above, may include software, firmware, and/ormicrocode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, datastructures, and/or objects. Shared processor hardware encompasses asingle microprocessor that executes some or all code from multiplemodules. Group processor hardware encompasses a microprocessor that, incombination with additional microprocessors, executes some or all codefrom one or more modules. References to multiple microprocessorsencompass multiple microprocessors on discrete dies, multiplemicroprocessors on a single die, multiple cores of a singlemicroprocessor, multiple threads of a single microprocessor, or acombination of the above.

Shared memory hardware encompasses a single memory device that storessome or all code from multiple modules. Group memory hardwareencompasses a memory device that, in combination with other memorydevices, stores some or all code from one or more modules.

The term memory hardware is a subset of the term computer-readablemedium. The term computer-readable medium, as used herein, does notencompass transitory electrical or electromagnetic signals propagatingthrough a medium (such as on a carrier wave); the term computer-readablemedium is therefore considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limitingexamples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include, but arenot limited to, rewriteable non-volatile memory devices (including, forexample flash memory devices, erasable programmable read-only memorydevices, or a mask read-only memory devices); volatile memory devices(including, for example static random access memory devices or a dynamicrandom access memory devices); magnetic storage media (including, forexample an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard disk drive); andoptical storage media (including, for example a CD, a DVD, or a Blu-rayDisc). Examples of the media with a built-in rewriteable non-volatilememory, include but are not limited to memory cards; and media with abuilt-in ROM, including but not limited to ROM cassettes; etc.Furthermore, various information regarding stored images, for example,property information, may be stored in any other form, or it may beprovided in other ways.

The apparatuses and methods described in this application may bepartially or fully implemented by a special purpose computer created byconfiguring a general purpose computer to execute one or more particularfunctions embodied in computer programs. The functional blocks andflowchart elements described above serve as software specifications,which can be translated into the computer programs by the routine workof a skilled technician or programmer.

Although described with reference to specific examples and drawings,modifications, additions and substitutions of example embodiments may bevariously made according to the description by those of ordinary skillin the art. For example, the described techniques may be performed in anorder different with that of the methods described, and/or componentssuch as the described system, architecture, devices, circuit, and thelike, may be connected or combined to be different from theabove-described methods, or results may be appropriately achieved byother components or equivalents.

At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a system comprising

a gantry of a medical imaging apparatus, the gantry including an X-raysource; and

a radiation protection booth, wherein the radiation protection booth canbe installed, in particular is installed in at least one operatingcondition of the system, or suspended, in particular is suspended in atleast one operating condition of the system, relative to the gantry.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a system isprovided

wherein the maximum extension of the radiation protection booth in afirst horizontal direction is less than 2 meters, in particular lessthan 1.5 meters, in particular less than 1 meter and/or

wherein the maximum extension of the radiation protection booth in asecond horizontal direction, which is perpendicular to the firsthorizontal direction, is less than 2 meters, in particular less than 1.5meters, in particular less than 1 meter.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a system isprovided further comprising an examination chamber, wherein the gantryand the radiation protection booth are located in the examinationchamber.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a system isprovided further comprising a user interface for operating the medicalimaging apparatus, wherein the user interface can be arranged, inparticular is arranged in at least one operating condition of thesystem, in the radiation protection booth.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a system isprovided

wherein the user interface comprises a tablet computer and/or asmartphone with a software application embodied to control the medicalimaging apparatus and/or

wherein the first user interface comprises a mobile control device withan operating element embodied as an electromechanical switching element.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a system isprovided further comprising a data transfer unit embodied to transfersignals into the radiation protection booth and/or out of the radiationprotection booth.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a system isprovided, further comprising

a door control unit embodied to control a door of the radiationprotection booth based on information relating to a position of a userand/or a status of a medical workflow.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a system isprovided further comprising a patient support apparatus of the medicalimaging apparatus, which comprises a supporting base and a transferplate arranged movably on the supporting base, which can be introducedinto a tunnel-shaped opening in the gantry.

The system can in particular comprise the medical imaging apparatus.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a system isprovided further comprising a camera arranged to acquire at least oneregion of the tunnel-shaped opening and/or at least one region of atransfer plate.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a system isprovided further comprising at least one chassis for movably supportingthe gantry and/or the radiation protection booth.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a system isprovided further comprising at least one rail arrangement for movablysupporting the gantry and/or the radiation protection booth.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a system isprovided further comprising an intervention module for operating anintervention robot, wherein the intervention module can be arranged inthe radiation protection booth, and/or an intervention robot.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a system isprovided further comprising a therapeutic apparatus, which is based onbeams and/or on particles.

At least one embodiment of the invention further relates to a method foroperating a medical imaging apparatus, the method comprising:

execution of a first action of a user for operating the medical imagingapparatus, wherein the user is located inside an examination chamber andoutside a radiation protection booth, wherein the radiation protectionbooth and a gantry of the medical imaging apparatus are located insidethe examination chamber,

entry of the user into the radiation protection booth, and

execution of a second action of the user for operating the medicalimaging apparatus, wherein the user is located inside the radiationprotection booth.

At least one embodiment of the invention further relates to a method foroutputting a movement drive signal to a movement drive unit of a movableradiation protection booth, the method comprising:

provision of position information relating to a gantry of a medicalimaging apparatus, and

outputting the movement drive signal to the movement drive unit of themovable radiation protection booth based on the position information.

At least one embodiment of the invention further relates to a method formoving a movable gantry and a movable radiation protection booth, themethod comprising:

moving a movable gantry,

provision of position information relating to the movable gantry of amedical imaging apparatus,

outputting the movement drive signal to the movement drive unit of themovable radiation protection booth based on the position information,and

moving the movable radiation protection booth via the movement driveunit based on the movement drive signal.

The radiation protection booth can in particular be installed orsuspended relative to the gantry without thereby the dimensions of theradiation protection booth being changed and/or without thereby a volumeof the radiation protection booth being changed and/or without thereby acircumference of the radiation protection booth, in particular in ahorizontal plane, being changed.

The radiation protection booth can in particular be installed orsuspended inside an examination chamber. In particular, herein a systemis disclosed comprising a gantry of a medical imaging apparatus, whereinthe gantry comprises an X-ray source, and a radiation protection booth,wherein the radiation protection booth can be installed or suspendedinside an examination chamber. The examination chamber can in particularbe a medical examination chamber. The radiation protection booth can inparticular be installed or suspended as a whole relative to the gantryand/or inside the examination chamber.

The radiation protection booth can in particular have a maximumhorizontal cross-sectional area, which, for example, is less than foursquare meters, in particular less than three square meters, inparticular less than two square meters.

The relatively small dimensions of the radiation protection booth areassociated with a reduced space requirement for the radiation protectionbooth inside the examination chamber, in particular in the vicinity ofthe gantry.

The radiation protection booth can in particular be detachablyconnectable or connected to a supporting structure. In particular, itcan be provided that the supporting structure is a floor, a wall or aceiling of the examination chamber and/or that the supporting structureis connected to a floor and/or to a wall and/or to a ceiling of theexamination chamber. The supporting structure can, for example, beembodied to absorb forces and/or moments acting on the radiationprotection booth and relay them to a floor and/or a wall and/or aceiling of the examination chamber. In particular, a radiationprotection area, which is in particular protected against ionizingradiation from the X-ray source of the gantry, can be located inside theradiation protection booth. The radiation protection booth can inparticular have a closed circumference, in particular a closedcircumference in a horizontal plane.

In particular in at least one operating condition of the radiationprotection booth, the radiation protection booth can comprise a firstwall region and a second wall region, wherein the first wall region andthe second wall region are in each case embodied to protect againstionizing radiation, in particular to attenuate ionizing radiation. Inparticular in at least one operating condition of the radiationprotection booth, the radiation protection booth can comprise a thirdwall region and a fourth wall region, wherein the third wall region andthe fourth wall region are in each case embodied to protect againstionizing radiation, in particular to attenuate ionizing radiation.

In particular, the first wall region and the second wall region can belocated opposite one another, in particular located opposite one anotherwith respect to a first horizontal direction. In particular, the thirdwall region and the fourth wall region can be located opposite oneanother, in particular located opposite one another with respect to asecond horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the firsthorizontal direction.

In particular, the first wall region can be located between the thirdwall region and the fourth wall region, in particular located withrespect to a circumference of the radiation protection booth in ahorizontal plane between the third wall region and the fourth wallregion. In particular, the second wall region can be located between thethird wall region and the fourth wall region, in particular located withrespect to a circumference of the radiation protection booth in ahorizontal plane between the third wall region and the fourth wallregion.

In particular, the third wall region can be located between the firstwall region and the second wall region, in particular located withrespect to a circumference of the radiation protection booth in ahorizontal plane between the first wall region and the second wallregion. In particular, the fourth wall region can be located between thefirst wall region and the second wall region, in particular located withrespect to a circumference of the radiation protection booth in ahorizontal plane between the first wall region and the second wallregion.

In at least one operating condition of the radiation protection booth,the radiation protection booth can in particular comprise for eachhorizontal direction at least one wall region, which is embodied toprotect against ionizing radiation, in particular to attenuate ionizingradiation coming from the respective horizontal direction and directedat a radiation protection area inside the radiation protection. Thisenables a person located in the radiation protection booth to beprotected against ionizing radiation, and hence in particular againstscattered radiation, along a closed circumference extendingcircumferentially in a horizontal plane.

In particular in at least one operating condition of the radiationprotection booth, the radiation protection booth can comprise for eachdirection at least one wall region and/or at least one ceiling regionand/or at least one floor region, which is embodied to protect againstionizing radiation, in particular to attenuate ionizing radiation comingfrom the respective horizontal direction and directed at a radiationprotection area inside the radiation protection booth. This enables aperson located in the radiation protection booth to be comprehensivelyprotected against ionizing radiation and hence in particular againstscattered radiation.

In particular in at least one operating condition of the radiationprotection booth, the radiation protection area can be located betweentwo opposing wall regions of the radiation protection booth each ofwhich is embodied to protect against ionizing radiation, in particularto attenuate ionizing radiation. The radiation protection area can inparticular be located between the first wall region of the radiationprotection booth and the second wall region of the radiation protectionbooth. The radiation protection area can in particular be locatedbetween the third wall region of the radiation protection booth and thefourth wall region of the radiation protection booth.

In at least one operating condition of the radiation protection booth,the radiation protection area can in particular be screened with respectto each horizontal direction by a wall region of the radiationprotection booth, which is embodied to protect against ionizingradiation, in particular to attenuate ionizing radiation. The radiationprotection area can in particular be screened at the top by a ceilingregion of the radiation protection booth and/or at the bottom by a floorregion of the radiation protection booth, wherein the ceiling regionand/or the floor region are in each case embodied to protect againstionizing radiation, in particular to attenuate ionizing radiation.

In at least one operating condition of the radiation protection booth,the radiation protection area can in particular be screened with respectto each direction by a wall region and/or by a ceiling region and/or bya floor region of the radiation protection booth, which is embodied toprotect against ionizing radiation, in particular to attenuate ionizingradiation. The radiation protection area can in particular be embodiedsuch that at least one person can be present in the radiation protectionbooth, for example standing and/or sitting, and/or can use a userinterface to operate the medical imaging apparatus and/or anintervention robot.

In at least one operating condition of the radiation protection booth,the radiation protection booth can in particular be embodied such thatthe radiation protection booth is embodied as airtight and/orwatertight. The radiation protection booth can in particular comprise abreathing air filtering apparatus and/or a breathing air supplyfacility, for example with a breathing air reservoir, in particular anoxygen reservoir.

In particular during the acquisition of imaging data, in particular whenthe X-ray source is emitting radiation for the acquisition of imagingdata, the solution according to at least one embodiment of the inventionenables a user of the medical imaging apparatus to be present inside theexamination chamber, in particular in the vicinity of a patient examinedby way of the medical imaging apparatus. Herein the user located insidethe radiation protection booth can also be protected from scatteredradiation from all directions via the radiation protection booth. As aresult of scattering of the radiation emitted directly by the X-raysource, the scattered radiation can occur on objects located inside theexamination chamber and/or on a wall, a floor and/or a ceiling of theexamination chamber. A floor can in particular also be understood tomean a floor underlay, floor plate or the like.

The proximity to the patient enables the associated advantages, whichare in particular described above, to be achieved without the user beingexposed to an increased radiation risk. Moreover, reducing the traveldistances for the user, in particular to radiation-protected areasoutside the examination chamber, can also increase examination workflowefficiency. Herein, the increased efficiency is not at the expense ofhuman attention and patient comfort, instead it has a positive effectthereupon.

Particular medical advantages are, for example, obtained in the case ofemergency patients. If, during the emission of the radiation in theradiation protection booth, the user is able to remain in the exposurearea of the in particular critically unstable patient, not only is theuser able more quickly to recognize a deterioration in the patient'scondition and the need for intervention, the spatial proximity alsoenables more rapid intervention. Both embodiments mean seconds, which,in case of doubt, can mean the difference between life and death.

Moreover, while present in the radiation protection booth, the user isbetter able to control and monitor devices and/or monitors locatedinside the examination chamber, in particular outside the radiationprotection booth. In the case of supervised patients, for examplechildren or in dementia cases, key individuals can be present in thevicinity of the patient without additional radiation exposure. Due tothe calming effect this has on the patient, this can improve imagequality, in particular due to a reduction in motion artifacts, or evenrender the examination possible in the first place.

The radiation protection booth can in particular be located inside acircumscribed circle of 4 meters, in particular 3 meters, in particular2 meters, around the isocenter of the gantry and/or the medical imagingapparatus.

The user interface can, for example, comprise a screen and/or a mouseand/or a keyboard. The user interface can, for example, be connected toa computer for operating the medical imaging apparatus, which is locatedinside the radiation protection booth and/or outside the radiationprotection booth. The user interface can, for example, comprise a mobileuser interface and/or a touch-sensitive screen.

In particular, there can be a holder and/or at least one docking stationfor the user interface inside the radiation protection booth, inparticular inside the radiation protection area. The at least onedocking station can, for example, be embodied for the detachable dockingof the user interface, in particular the tablet computer and/or themobile control device, and/or for the power supply for the userinterface and/or for data transfer to the user interface and/or from theuser interface. The docking station can, for example, comprise amagnetic holder.

In at least one operating condition of the system, the mobile controldevice and a control unit of a component of the medical imagingapparatus can be coupled such that actuating the operating elementeffects the output of a control signal to the component via the controlunit. The component can, for example, be a transfer plate or a radiationsource. The operating element can in particular be embodied as anelectromechanical switching element if it comprises theelectromechanical switching element.

The electromechanical switching element can in particular be a switch,for example a pushbutton. In many cases, an operating element embodiedas an electromechanical switching element can achieve a higher level ofsafety, in particular with respect to movements of the transfer plateand the initiation of the radiation, than for example in the case of anoperating element embedded in a software application. In particular, afurther docking station can be provided, which is arranged on the gantryand which is embodied substantially the same as the docking station,which is located in radiation protection booth.

Both the tablet computer and the mobile control device can be taken intothe radiation protection booth by the user and then taken out again, inparticular docked on one of the docking stations inside or outside theradiation protection booth. This concept can enable the user to havefull control of the medical imaging apparatus with maximum flexibilityas to the location from which the user wishes to exercise the control.

The data transfer can, for example, be at least partially wirelessand/or at least partially wired. The data transfer can, for example, beat least partially based on WLAN signals and/or Bluetooth signals. Theradiation protection booth can in particular, at least in sections, beembodied as permeable to data transfer signals, in particular WLANsignals and/or Bluetooth signals and/or optical signals.

The radiation protection booth can in particular comprise a datatransfer unit. The data transfer unit of the radiation protection boothcan, for example, be embodied to receive a data transmission signallocated outside the radiation protection booth, in particular in theexamination chamber, and to make it available inside the radiationprotection booth, in particular in the radiation protection area. Thedata transfer unit of the radiation protection booth can in particularcomprise modules for receiving and/or transmitting data transmissionsignals, for example WLAN signals or Bluetooth signals. The datatransfer unit of the radiation protection booth can, for example,comprise wired data transfer paths, for example to the docking stationinside the radiation protection booth.

The radiation protection booth can, for example, comprise a mechanism,which is in particular embodied for motorized opening and closing of thedoor of the radiation protection booth. The door control unit can beembodied in particular to control this mechanism. The door control unitcan in particular be automated and/or interact with a control loop. Thiscan simplify the workflow for the user to the extent that the user nolonger has consciously to think about opening and/or closing the door ofthe radiation protection booth. The opening and/or closing of the doorof the radiation protection booth can also take place automatically ifthe user has no free hand, is wearing sterile protective clothing and/orsterile gloves and/or is distracted.

For example, it can be provided that the door closes automatically whenthe emission of the radiation is released and/or that the doorautomatically opens when the emission of the radiation is completed. Thedoor control unit can, for example, comprise an emergency openingapparatus and/or an anti-crush apparatus or the like. Alternatively oradditionally, the door can also be operated via a foot switcharrangement.

The camera can in particular be arranged on the gantry and/or on theradiation protection booth. In particular, the camera can be arrangedsuch that at least one region of the tunnel-shaped opening and/or atleast one region of the transfer plate that is not visible to a userlocated in the radiation protection booth is acquired. A camera imagetaken by the camera can, for example, be output via the user interface,for example via the tablet computer, and/or via a screen arranged insidethe radiation protection booth.

The chassis can in particular be an omnidirectional chassis and/or a setof wheels, in particular omnidirectional wheels.

The radiation protection booth can, for example, be coupled mechanicallyto the gantry, in particular coupled such that the gantry and theradiation protection booth can only be moved together. According to oneembodiment of the invention, the radiation protection booth can bepulled or pushed via the gantry.

The system can, for example, comprise a gantry-drive unit for driving amovement of the gantry and/or a radiation protection booth-drive unitfor driving a movement of the radiation protection booth. Thegantry-drive unit can, for example, comprise a motor, in particular anelectric motor, and/or a corresponding power supply unit. The radiationprotection booth-drive unit can, for example, comprise a motor, inparticular an electric motor, and/or a corresponding power supply unit.The gantry-drive unit can, for example, be integrated in the gantryand/or in a rail arrangement. The radiation protection booth-drive unitcan, for example, be integrated in the radiation protection booth and/orin a rail arrangement.

The position information can, for example, be used to acquire a changedposition and/or movement of the gantry. In particular, it is possiblefor the radiation protection booth to be moved when the user is locatedin the radiation protection booth. In particular, a movement controlunit can be located inside the radiation protection booth with which theuser can control the movement of the radiation protection booth. Inparticular, the user interface can be embodied to control the movementof the radiation protection booth. The position information can, forexample, be at least partially provided via a sensor arrangementarranged, for example, in the examination chamber, in particular on theradiation protection booth and/or on the gantry.

The sensor arrangement can, for example, comprise optical sensors and/ora camera and/or sensors on the gantry-drive unit. The positioninformation can, for example, be at least partially provided and/orprocessed via a control apparatus of the medical imaging apparatus. Theposition information can in particular also be movement informationand/or position change information. This in particular enables theimplementation of synchronized movement of the gantry and the radiationprotection booth.

An intervention robot can in particular also be understood to be asurgical robot. The intervention robot can, for example, be used toperform an intervention on a patient while the patient is located on thetransfer plate. To monitor and/or adapt the intervention, the medicalimaging apparatus can be used to record medical images, in particulartomography images, of the region of the patient in which theintervention is performed. The intervention robot can, for example,introduce needles and/or probes into the patient along a preplannedtrajectory. The surgical robot can, for example, in particular introducean endoscopic scalpel remotely. In particular, the intervention robotcan be controlled by the user using the intervention module, wherein theuser is located in the radiation protection booth.

Interventions are often performed on conscious patients, whichsimultaneously requires that the procedure be terminated rapidly and thepatient be kept calm. Reducing the travel distances for the user and thetime spent by the user in the vicinity of the patient can have apositive effect on these factors. Both are facilitated by the solutionaccording to at least one embodiment of the invention. In particular,the system can comprise a movable gantry, a movable radiation protectionbooth and/or an intervention robot. This is in particular advantageousin the case of complex surgical scenarios with special patient supportapparatuses.

The user interface can in particular comprise the intervention module.In particular, a docking station for docking the intervention module canbe arranged in the radiation protection booth. The user interface can inparticular be embodied to operate the patient support apparatus and/orto operate the radiation source and/or to operate the medical imagingapparatus via a software application and/or to operate the interventionrobot.

The therapeutic apparatus can in particular be embodied for image-guidedradiation therapy based on at least one medical image recorded via themedical imaging apparatus. The examination chamber can, for example, bea radiation bunker in a particle or radiation therapy system. Inparticular in the case of radiation therapy linacs, increased scatteredradiation can occur and these can also have a negative impact on thehardware of the medical imaging apparatus. Not only the user, but alsoas many components as possible of the medical imaging apparatus have tobe protected from such radiation.

The solution according to at least one embodiment of the inventiondispenses with the need for complicated cabling emerging from theradiation protection bunker for the accommodation of consoleworkstations in a radiation-protected area outside the radiation bunker.A solution of this kind can be significantly simpler, cheaper and longerlasting. The radiation protection booth can in particular be embodied toprotect against radiation from the therapeutic apparatus used fortherapy, in particular against scattered radiation from the therapeuticapparatus. The user interface can in particular be embodied to controlthe therapeutic apparatus.

The medical imaging apparatus can, for example, be selected from thegroup of imaging modalities including an X-ray device, a C-arm X-raydevice, which can in particular be mobile, a computed tomography device(CT device), a molecular imaging device (MI device), a single-photonemission computer tomography device (SPECT device), a positron emissiontomography device (PET device), a magnetic resonance tomography device(MR device) and combinations thereof (in particular PET-CT device,PET-MR device, SPECT-CT device). The medical imaging apparatus canfurther comprise a combination of an imaging modality, selected, forexample, from the imaging modality group and a radiation modality.Herein, the radiation modality can, for example, comprise a radiationunit for therapeutic radiation. Without restricting the general conceptof the invention, for some of the embodiments, a computed tomographydevice is named as an example of a medical imaging apparatus.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the medical imagingapparatus comprises an acquisition unit embodied to acquire the imagingdata. The acquisition unit can in particular comprise a radiation sourceand a radiation detector. One embodiment of the invention provides thatthe radiation source is embodied for the emission and/or excitation ofradiation, in particular electromagnetic radiation, and/or that theradiation detector is embodied to detect the radiation, in particularthe electromagnetic radiation. The radiation can, for example, travelfrom the radiation source to the region to be depicted and/or, followinginteraction with the region to be depicted, to the radiation detector.During interaction with the region to be depicted, the radiation ismodified and hence becomes a carrier of information relating to theregion to be depicted. During interaction of the radiation with thedetector, this information is acquired in the form of imaging data.

In particular in the case of a computed tomography device and in thecase of a C-arm X-ray device, the imaging data can be projection data,the acquisition unit a projection data-acquisition unit, the radiationsource an X-ray source, the radiation detector a X-ray detector. TheX-ray detector can in particular be a quantum-counting and/orenergy-resolving X-ray detector.

The gantry of a medical imaging apparatus typically comprises asupporting structure on which in particular components of theacquisition unit, in particular the radiation source and/or theradiation detector, are arranged. The supporting structure of the gantryis typically sufficiently rigid and strong to ensure that the componentsof the acquisition unit can be arranged in a geometry sufficientlydefined for the imaging both relative to one another and relative to aregion to be depicted. In the case of a computed tomography device, thegantry typically comprises a support frame and a rotor supportedpivotably relative to the support frame, wherein the radiation sourceand the radiation detector are arranged on the rotor. The gantry canoptionally comprise a tilt frame supported tiltably relative to thesupport frame, wherein the rotor is arranged on the tilt frame.

In the case of a C-arm X-ray device, the gantry typically comprises asupport frame and a C-arm supported swivelably relative to the supportframe, wherein the radiation source and the radiation detector arearranged on the C-arm.

The system can, for example, comprise one or more components in the formof hardware and/or one or more components in the form of software. Thehardware can, for example, interact with software and/or be configuredvia software. The software can, for example, be executed via thehardware.

The hardware can, for example, be a storage system, an FPGA system(field-programmable gate array), an ASIC system (application-specificintegrated circuit), a microcontroller system, a processor system andcombinations thereof. The processor system can, for example, comprise amicroprocessor and/or a plurality of interacting microprocessors.

In particular, a component of a system according to one of theembodiments disclosed in this description and/or in the claims, which isembodied to carry out a given step of a method according to one of theembodiments disclosed in this description and/or in the claims, can beimplemented in the form of hardware configured to execute the given stepand/or configured to execute a computer-readable instruction such thatthe hardware can be configured via the computer-readable instruction toexecute the given step. In particular, the system can comprise a storagearea, for example in the form of a computer-readable medium, in whichcomputer-readable instructions are stored, for example in the form of acomputer program.

A data transfer between components of the system can, for example, ineach case take place via a suitable data-transfer interface. Thedata-transfer interface for data transfer to and/or from a component ofthe data-processing system can be implemented at least partially in theform of software and/or at least partially in the form of hardware. Thedata-transfer interface can, for example, be embodied to store data inand/or to load data from a region of the memory system, wherein one ormore components of the data-processing can access this region of thememory system.

Within the scope of the invention, features described with respect todifferent embodiments of the invention and/or different claim categories(method, use, apparatus, system, arrangement etc.) can be combined toform further embodiments of the invention. For example, a claim relatingto an apparatus can also be developed with features described or claimedin conjunction with a method. Herein, functional features of a methodcan be implemented by correspondingly embodied material components. Inaddition to the embodiments of the invention expressly described in thisapplication, numerous further embodiments of the invention areconceivable at which the person skilled in the art can arrive withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention in so far as it is defined bythe claims.

The use of the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not precludes thepossibility of the features in question also being present on a multiplebasis. The use of the expression “comprise” does not preclude thepossibility of the terms being linked by the expression “comprise” beingidentical. For example, the medical imaging apparatus comprises themedical imaging apparatus. The use of the expression “unit” does notexclude the possibility of the subject matter to which the expression“unit” relates comprising a plurality of components that are spatiallyseparated from one another.

In the context of the present application, the use of ordinal numbers(first, second, third etc.) in the description of features is primarilyfor better distinction of those features described using ordinalnumbers. The absence of a feature described by a combination of a givenordinal number and a term does not preclude the possibility of a featurebeing present that is also described by a combination of an ordinalnumber following the given ordinal numbers and said term.

In the context of the present application, the expression “based on” canparticular be understood as meaning “using”. In particular, wordingaccording to which a first feature is created based on a second feature(alternatively: determined, identified etc.) does not preclude thepossibility of the first feature being created based on a third feature(alternatively: determined, identified etc.).

The use of a feature in the form “wherein for each dataset of theplurality of datasets a result is determined in each case” does notpreclude the possibility that, in addition to the datasets included inthe plurality of datasets, further datasets can be present, which arenot included in the plurality of datasets and for which the result isnot determined. In particular, the plurality of datasets can be a subsetof a set of datasets, wherein the set of datasets also comprisesdatasets, which are included in the plurality of datasets and for whichthe result is determined in each case, and also datasets, which are notincluded in the plurality of datasets and for which the result is notdetermined.

FIG. 1 shows a system 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. InFIG. 1, the radiation protection booth 5 is arranged next to the gantry20 such that a large part of the radiation is attenuated by the gantryitself before it reaches the radiation protection booth. The radiationprotection booth 5 is located inside the examination chamber 4. Theexamination chamber 4 comprises walls 41 and a floor 48. The radiationprotection booth 5 comprises leaded glass panes 52. Through the leadedglass panes, a user U1 located inside the radiation protection booth cansee at least a part of the patient 13. The walls 51 of the radiationprotection booth are at least partially lined with lead. In particular,the walls 51 of the radiation protection booth can comprise a lead-linedlight skeleton construction, for example based on wood, aluminum orplastic. As shown in FIG. 1, the radiation protection booth does notform a structural unit with the examination chamber. The radiationprotection booth 5 comprises a floor 58 and a ceiling 59. However, theradiation protection booth 5 can also be embodied as open at the topand/or bottom and/or as bounded by a ceiling of the examination chamber4 and/or by a floor of the examination chamber. The radiation protectionbooth comprises a door 53 and a door control unit 53C. A camera 29 isarranged on the gantry.

Without restricting of the general concept of embodiments of theinvention, a computed tomography device is shown by way of example forthe medical imaging apparatus 2. The medical imaging apparatus 2comprises the gantry 20, the tunnel-shaped opening 9, the patientsupport apparatus 10 and the control apparatus 30.

The gantry 20 comprises the stationary support frame 21, the tilt frameand the rotor 24. The tilt frame is arranged via a tilting supportingapparatus on the stationary support frame 21 tiltably about a tiltingaxis relative to the stationary support frame 21. The rotor 24 isarranged via a pivoting support apparatus on the tilt frame pivotablyabout an axis of rotation relative to the tilt frame.

The tilting axis is perpendicular to the system axis. The system axisand the tilting axis are located in a horizontal plane. The axis ofrotation is perpendicular to the tilting axis and substantially parallelto the system axis.

The patient 13 can be introduced into the tunnel-shaped opening 9. Theacquisition region 4 is located in the tunnel-shaped opening 9. A regionof the patient 13 to be depicted can be positioned in the acquisitionregion 4 such that the radiation 27 can travel from the radiation source26 to the region to be depicted and, following interaction with theregion to be depicted, travel to the radiation detector 28.

The patient support apparatus 10 comprises the supporting base 11 andthe supporting plate 12 for supporting the patient 13. The supportingplate 12 is arranged movably relative to the supporting base 11 on thesupporting base 11 such that the supporting plate 12 can be introducedinto the acquisition region 4 in a longitudinal direction of thesupporting plate 12, in particular along the system axis.

The medical imaging apparatus 2 is embodied for the acquisition ofacquisition data based on electromagnetic radiation 27. The medicalimaging apparatus 2 comprises an acquisition unit. The acquisition unitis a projection data-acquisition unit with the radiation source 26, forexample a X-ray source, and the detector 28, for example a X-raydetector, in particular an energy-resolving X-ray detector. Theradiation source 26 is arranged on the rotor 24 and embodied to emitradiation 27, for example X-rays, with radiation quanta 27. The detector28 is arranged on the rotor 24 and embodied to detect the radiationquanta 27. The radiation quanta 27 can travel from the radiation source26 to the region of the patient 13 to be depicted and, followinginteraction with the region to be depicted, strike the detector 28. Thisenables the acquisition unit to acquire acquisition data of the regionto be depicted in the form of projection data.

The control apparatus 30 is embodied to receive the acquisition dataacquired from the acquisition unit. The control apparatus 30 is embodiedto control the medical imaging apparatus 2. The control apparatus 30comprises the data-processing unit 35, a computer-readable medium andthe processor system 36. The control apparatus 30, in particular thedata-processing unit 35, is formed by a data-processing systemcomprising a computer.

The control apparatus 30 comprises the image reconstruction facility 34.The image reconstruction facility 34 can be used to reconstruct amedical image dataset based on the acquisition data.

The medical imaging apparatus 2 comprises an input apparatus and anoutput apparatus each of which is connected to the control apparatus 30.The input apparatus is embodied to input control information, forexample image-reconstruction parameters, examination parameters or thelike. The output apparatus is in particular embodied to output controlinformation, images and/or acoustic signals.

As shown in FIG. 2, the examination chamber contains a border region 56surrounding the radiation protection booth along a closed contourextending circumferentially in the horizontal plane. The system 1comprises the user interface 8, the intervention module 15C, theintervention robot 15, the data transfer unit 8T of the user interface 8and the data transfer unit 30T of the control apparatus 30. The controlapparatus 30 is integrated in the gantry 20. This enables heat and thedevelopment of noise in the radiation protection booth to be avoided.Dashed lines depict further possible positions for the radiationprotection booth 5 in the examination chamber.

The maximum extension of the radiation protection booth 5 in a firsthorizontal direction X is the distance between the points X1 and X2. Themaximum extension of the radiation protection booth in a secondhorizontal direction Y, which is perpendicular to the first horizontaldirection X, is the distance between the points Y1 and Y2.

The system depicted in FIG. 3 comprises a rail arrangement 60 formovably supporting the gantry 20 and the radiation protection booth 5.The gantry 20 and the radiation protection booth 5 are arranged on theplatform 6, which can be moved via the rail arrangement 60.

The system depicted in FIG. 4 comprises a rail arrangement 62 formovably supporting the gantry 20 and a rail arrangement 65 for movablysupporting the radiation protection booth 5.

The system depicted in FIG. 5 comprises a chassis 61 for movablysupporting the gantry 20 and the radiation protection booth 5. Thegantry 20 and the radiation protection booth 5 are arranged on theplatform 6, which can be moved via the chassis 61.

The system depicted in FIG. 6 comprises a chassis 63 for movablysupporting the gantry 20 and a chassis 66 for movably supporting theradiation protection booth 5. The system 1 further comprises aposition-information-providing unit PI-M, for example in the form of asensor arrangement embodied to provide position information relating tothe movable gantry of a medical imaging apparatus. The system 1 furthercomprises a movement-drive-signal outputting unit OS-M embodied tooutput the movement drive signal to the movement drive unit of themovable radiation protection booth based on the position information.The movement drive signal output unit OS-M can, for example, comprise aprocessor unit and/or be formed by a data-processing system. The systemfurther comprises a radiation protection booth-drive unit MC-M embodiedto drive a movement of the radiation protection booth based on themovement drive signal.

The system shown in FIG. 7 comprises the therapeutic apparatus 9. Thepatient support apparatus 10 is pivotably supported about a verticalaxis, which through the isocenter 91 of the medical imaging apparatus,which is also the isocenter of the therapeutic apparatus, via apivotable floor plate 90. The gantry can be moved along the path 68 viathe rail arrangement 62.

FIG. 8 shows the following steps:

provision PI of position information relating to a gantry of a medicalimaging apparatus, and

outputting OS of the movement drive signal to the movement drive unit ofthe movable radiation protection booth based on the positioninformation.

FIG. 9 further shows the following steps:

moving MG a movable gantry, and

moving MC the movable radiation protection booth via the movement driveunit based on the movement drive signal. The movement drive unit is inparticular the radiation protection booth-drive unit.

FIG. 10 shows the following steps:

execution 101 of a first action of a user for operating the medicalimaging apparatus, wherein the user is located inside an examinationchamber and outside a radiation protection booth, wherein the radiationprotection booth and a gantry of the medical imaging apparatus arelocated inside the examination chamber,

entry 102 of the user into the radiation protection booth, and

execution 103 of a second action of the user for operating the medicalimaging apparatus, wherein the user is located inside the radiationprotection booth.

The patent claims of the application are formulation proposals withoutprejudice for obtaining more extensive patent protection. The applicantreserves the right to claim even further combinations of featurespreviously disclosed only in the description and/or drawings.

References back that are used in dependent claims indicate the furtherembodiment of the subject matter of the main claim by way of thefeatures of the respective dependent claim; they should not beunderstood as dispensing with obtaining independent protection of thesubject matter for the combinations of features in the referred-backdependent claims. Furthermore, with regard to interpreting the claims,where a feature is concretized in more specific detail in a subordinateclaim, it should be assumed that such a restriction is not present inthe respective preceding claims.

Since the subject matter of the dependent claims in relation to theprior art on the priority date may form separate and independentinventions, the applicant reserves the right to make them the subjectmatter of independent claims or divisional declarations. They mayfurthermore also contain independent inventions which have aconfiguration that is independent of the subject matters of thepreceding dependent claims.

None of the elements recited in the claims are intended to be ameans-plus-function element within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f)unless an element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or,in the case of a method claim, using the phrases “operation for” or“step for.”

Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that thesame may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regardedas a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, andall such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art areintended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

The patent claims of the application are formulation proposals withoutprejudice for obtaining more extensive patent protection. The applicantreserves the right to claim even further combinations of featurespreviously disclosed only in the description and/or drawings.

References back that are used in dependent claims indicate the furtherembodiment of the subject matter of the main claim by way of thefeatures of the respective dependent claim; they should not beunderstood as dispensing with obtaining independent protection of thesubject matter for the combinations of features in the referred-backdependent claims. Furthermore, with regard to interpreting the claims,where a feature is concretized in more specific detail in a subordinateclaim, it should be assumed that such a restriction is not present inthe respective preceding claims.

Since the subject matter of the dependent claims in relation to theprior art on the priority date may form separate and independentinventions, the applicant reserves the right to make them the subjectmatter of independent claims or divisional declarations. They mayfurthermore also contain independent inventions which have aconfiguration that is independent of the subject matters of thepreceding dependent claims.

None of the elements recited in the claims are intended to be ameans-plus-function element within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f)unless an element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or,in the case of a method claim, using the phrases “operation for” or“step for.”

Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that thesame may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regardedas a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, andall such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art areintended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical imaging system, comprising: a gantry of a medical imaging apparatus, the gantry including an X-ray source; a radiation protection booth having at least one wall defining a user workstation, the user workstation being positionable relative to the gantry; and an intervention module in the user workstation for operating an intervention robot of the medical imaging system.
 2. The medical imaging system of claim 1, wherein the user workstation includes at least three walls defining the user workstation.
 3. The medical imaging system of claim 1, wherein at least one of a maximum extension of the radiation protection booth in a first horizontal direction is less than 2 meters; and a maximum extension of the radiation protection booth in a second horizontal direction, perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, is less than 2 meters.
 4. The medical imaging system of claim 1, further comprising: an examination chamber, wherein the gantry and the radiation protection booth are located in the examination chamber.
 5. The medical imaging system of claim 1, further comprising: a user interface for operating the medical imaging apparatus, wherein the user interface is in the user workstation.
 6. The medical imaging system of claim 5, wherein at least one of the user interface comprises at least one of a tablet computer and a smartphone with a software application embodied to control the medical imaging apparatus, and the user interface comprises a mobile control device with an operating element embodied as an electromechanical switching element.
 7. The medical imaging system of claim 1, further comprising: a data transfer unit configured to transfer signals into and out of the user workstation.
 8. The medical imaging system of claim 1, further comprising: a patient support apparatus of the medical imaging apparatus including a supporting base and a transfer plate arranged movably on the supporting base, the transfer plate being introduceable into a tunnel-shaped opening the gantry.
 9. The medical imaging system of claim 8, further comprising: a camera arranged to acquire at least one of at least one region of the tunnel-shaped opening and at least one region of a transfer plate.
 10. The medical imaging system of claim 1, wherein the user workstation is movable relative to the medical imaging apparatus.
 11. The medical imaging system of claim 1, wherein the at least one wall includes a window.
 12. The medical imaging system of claim 1, wherein the at least one wall includes a leaded glass pane for viewing the medical imaging apparatus.
 13. A radiation protective user workstation of a medical imaging system, the radiation protective user workstation comprising: at least one wall having a leaded glass pane for viewing a patient; and an intervention module in the user workstation for operating an intervention robot of the medical imaging system.
 14. The radiation protective user workstation of claim 13, wherein the user workstation includes at least three walls defining the user workstation.
 15. The radiation protective user workstation of claim 13, wherein at least one of a maximum extension of the user workstation in a first horizontal direction is less than 1.5 meters; and a maximum extension of the user workstation in a second horizontal direction, perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, is less than 1.5 meters.
 16. The radiation protective user workstation of claim 13, further comprising: a user interface configured to operate a medical imaging apparatus of the medical imaging system, wherein the user interface is arranged in the user workstation.
 17. The radiation protective user workstation of claim 13, further comprising at least one display screen configured to receive and display image data from a camera arranged to acquire an image of a patient.
 18. A medical imaging system, comprising: a gantry of a medical imaging apparatus, the gantry including an X-ray source; a user workstation having at least one wall, the user workstation being positionable relative to the gantry; and an intervention module in the user workstation for operating an intervention robot of the medical imaging system. 